Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

Rained Out

Toronto’s game against Cincinnati in Sarasota was rained out on Friday afternoon. Roy Halladay was scheduled to start, but he’ll pitch in a Minor League game on Saturday now. Lefty Gustavo Chacin’s regularly scheduled turn is also on Saturday, when the Jays host the Tigers. Toronto plans on holding Chacin back, though, since he’s slated to start the third game against Detroit in the season’s opening series.

Halladay, A.J. Burnett and Chacin will start the Jays’ first three games. A starter for the fourth game hasn’t been announced, but Halladay is scheduled to pitch in the fifth game of the year on Saturday, April 7 at Tampa Bay. That means the Jays won’t need a fifth starter until April 8. That also means Burnett would be the starter for Toronto’s home opener on April 9.

UPDATE: Blue Jays pitcher Gustavo Chacin was arrested early Friday morning for driving under the influence in Tampa, Fla.

Toronto confirmed a report on SI.com that said the left-hander was stopped by Tampa Police at 3:43 a.m. ET and booked on the misdemeanor charge. Police reports indicated that Chacin’s blood alcohol level measured .150, which is much higher than the legal limit of .08. The pitcher was released on a $500 bond.

"The club is aware of the situation, but for us to say anything at this time would be premature," a team offifical said Friday night.

I’m not sure if the team will hand out its own punishment to Chacin or not, and we don’t have all the details yet on th legal implications. So you’ll just have to stay tuned I guess. I’m off today, but the guy covering for me will probably be getting some more info — if the Jays have any more to give yet.

I personally doubt this will affect Chacins chances at the rotation. If its his first offence he will probably get a slap on the wrist. Everyone makes mistakes, hopefully he learns from it. Being a professional athlete im sure he can afford a good lawyer to look after him.
Along the lines of pitching, now that were about half way through spring training, I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on who they think should win the rotation spots? Personally, I would like to see Zambrano and Towers for #4 and #5. Its all so close right now though. Ohka and Thompson have both had good and bad outings. Its going to be a tough descision to make, but its a good problem to have.

I don’t really know what to make of Toronto’s rotation so far. However, I am starting to believe that Chacin is not a number three starter. Rather, he would be a more productive 4th or even 5th starter. Your thoughts?

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.